SWEET CELEBRATIONS!

Well the day that seemed a distant - very distant day, has finally come and gone.

The last of our offspring has finished high school.

What a great day, not only because she successfully graduated, not only because she was beautiful on the night, not only because it all went so well for her.

But because it feels like we are enjoying sweet fruit for our labour.

Yes having children is a joy. There is nothing more fulfilling than producing and raising other human beings. But there is nothing more draining, more challenging, more scary, more frustrating, more heart wrenching than being responsible for this precious cargo!

I remember feeling so helpless & saying many times,

"I can't resign and no one will sack me!"

They challenge your relationship, they challenge your resources, they challenge your patience, they challenge your strength, they challenge your capacity, they challenge your ingenuity. There is nothing left of you that is not challenged.

BUT IT IS SO WORTH IT!! Would we do it all again........WITHOUT A DOUBT!!

Now we enjoy these young adults, they are all so different. We feel so rich.

How can that be??

Jesus said, "I am telling you the truth: a grain of wheat remains no more than a single grain unless it is dropped into the ground and dies. if it does die, then it produces many grains." John 12:24(GNB)

"Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it" Matt 10:39 (GNB)

Paul said, "So let us not become tired of doing good; for if we do not give up, the time will come when we will reap the harvest." Galatians 6:9 (GNB)

Well there's the answer!!

So to everyone who is peering down the passage of time, wondering how you can 'hang on', and wondering if you are doing OK..... I want to say, yes you can hang on, and yes you are doing OK.

Of all the parents in the world (and He could have picked anyone ....YOU ARE THE ONE THE LORD HAS PICKED FOR YOUR CHILDREN.

So don't give up... it will be worth it!

THERE'S ONLY ONE CORRECT ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION!

Matthew 27:35-66 gives the account of Jesus' death on the cross. It paints a vivid picture of the environment and people that witnessed this horrific event. It is really enlightening to see the different responses to Jesus. Let me list them.

V35 - The soldiers carried on as usual

V39 - The people passing by and mocking

V40 - The people being cynical

V47 - Some misinterpreted His words

V48 - Some could only see the natural need of Jesus

V57-60 - Some responded with respect

V62-66 - Some responded with a need to control what was happening

Only one we know of responded in repentance and faith, a thief on the cross. (Luke 23:40-42) The result for that man was salvation that very day! Which category do you and I fit in?

"My prayer is that I really know when You are at work Lord and then having seen, help me to respond appropriately, in reverence and faith. Help me to know my day of visitation. Help me not to....

• carry on as usual


• by cynical


• be dishonouring

....but help me to have an open heart to You and to reach out in faith."

LITTLE STEPS & SMALL BEGINNINGS....

I am learning something.... little steps are better than no steps. Sometimes we feel inadequate and silly because the steps we take don't seem enough.... BUT THEY ARE BETTER THAN NO STEPS! As we keep making whatever steps we can, we get better & stronger. The secret is to keep walking, keep pushing against the comfort zone, keep doing it afraid and keep learning.

Sometimes it seems that the small seed we are sowing is insignificant, but the reality is, if there is life in it IT WILL GROW, and there are people that need what that plant will produce. So keep sowing those seeds, there are people on the other side of your battle who need you to win!

Lots of love & God bless!

Lynda ;)